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Sergino Dest Credits Barcelona Tenure For USMNT Leadership Role - 'Played In the Highest Level'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated Sep 19, 2025 4:44 PM ET

After playing for one of the world’s biggest clubs, Sergiño Dest is bringing the experience he gained at Barcelona into the USMNT locker room. The pressure of big games is no longer overwhelming for him, having already played at the highest level of soccer.

Dest is currently at PSV, where he has won four titles: two Dutch league championships and two Dutch Super Cups (one with Ajax). While his time at Barcelona was brief, he learned a lot of facing top teams alongside Lionel Messi and competing in the most anticipated match of the season: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona.

“It helped me a lot of playing in very big games with a lot of pressure,” he said in Spanish during an interview with Telemundo.

“So I don’t really feel pressure for anything else. It’s like, well, I played in the highest level games in the world like El Clásico. Now I’m very relaxed with these games and I can help the guys who don’t have that experience," Dest said.

The right back couldn't join the USMNT to play in the 2025 Gold Cup due to an ACL injury. By the time of the call-up, Dest was playing for PSV, but Pochettino didn't want to risk anything and left him out of the list. Going into the 2025 season, Sergino Dest has shown glimpses of his qualities playing in the Dutch championship.

16 - @PSV's Sergiño Dest attempted 16 dribbles against Union Saint-Gilloise, the highest tally for a defender in a single UEFA Champions League game since Javier Zanetti for Internazionale in December 2003 (20). Star. pic.twitter.com/uhJ9W0Gvh0
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) September 16, 2025

It Didn’t Work Out for Dest at Barcelona, but the Player Harbors No Hard Feelings

Sergiño Dest earned a starting spot at Barcelona during a turbulent time for the club. Lionel Messi was nearing the end of his contract and wouldn’t renew, veterans were leaving, and new players were being tested in multiple positions simultaneously.

While things didn’t fully work out for Dest, he is still proud of what he accomplished simply by signing with Barcelona.

“I feel very, very proud of having played for that club. I wish things were different. But well, that’s how it is. But when I was experiencing that moment, playing at Camp Nou with those players, it’s like I was very proud of being there," Dest said

“I was just 19 years old, you know? I was very young. If a club like Barcelona wants to buy a 19-year-old fullback that plays in Holland, you can be proud, right?”

Going into the 2026 World Cup as the USMNT’s starting right back, Dest hopes his experience playing against the world’s best from a young age will help the locker room as the team faces top national teams in the tournament.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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